Document Details
Network Watcher Agent Linux
❌
This page contains Windows bias
About This Page
This page is part of the Azure documentation. It contains code examples and configuration instructions for working with Azure services.
Bias Analysis
Bias Types:
⚠️
powershell_heavy
⚠️
windows_tools
⚠️
windows_first
Summary:
Although the documentation is focused on managing the Network Watcher Agent VM extension for Linux, there is a notable emphasis on PowerShell usage, which is traditionally a Windows-centric tool. PowerShell is presented as a primary automation/scripting method alongside Azure CLI, and instructions for deploying ARM templates reference Azure PowerShell before Azure CLI. There is also a minor error in the Azure CLI install example referencing 'Network Watcher Agent for Windows' instead of Linux. No Linux-native tools or shell scripting examples (e.g., Bash) are provided, and the documentation assumes the use of Azure-specific tools rather than generic Linux administration patterns.
Recommendations:
- Provide Bash shell script examples for common operations (install, list, uninstall) using Azure CLI, to better align with Linux administrator workflows.
- When listing automation options, present Azure CLI before PowerShell, as CLI is cross-platform and more familiar to Linux users.
- Clarify that PowerShell is available cross-platform, but highlight that Azure CLI is often preferred for Linux environments.
- Correct the minor error in the Azure CLI install example that refers to 'Network Watcher Agent for Windows' instead of Linux.
- Consider including examples of how to automate extension management using native Linux tools (e.g., curl with Azure REST API) for advanced users.
- Explicitly state that no Linux-native package management (apt, yum, etc.) is involved, to avoid confusion.
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Scan History
| Date | Scan ID | Status | Bias Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-17 00:01 | #83 | in_progress | ✅ Clean |
| 2025-07-13 21:37 | #48 | completed | ✅ Clean |
| 2025-07-12 23:44 | #41 | in_progress | ❌ Biased |
| 2025-07-09 13:09 | #3 | cancelled | ✅ Clean |
| 2025-07-08 04:23 | #2 | cancelled | ❌ Biased |
Flagged Code Snippets
The output of the cmdlet lists the installed extensions:
# [**Resource Manager**](#tab/arm)
N/A
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## Install Network Watcher Agent VM extension
# [**Portal**](#tab/portal)
From the virtual machine page in the Azure portal, you can install the Network Watcher Agent VM extension by following these steps:
1. Under **Settings**, select **Extensions + applications**.
1. Select **+ Add** and search for **Network Watcher Agent** and install it. If the extension is already installed, you can see it in the list of extensions.
:::image type="content" source="./media/network-watcher-agent-linux/vm-extensions.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the VM's extensions page in the Azure portal." lightbox="./media/network-watcher-agent-linux/vm-extensions.png":::
1. In the search box of **Install an Extension**, enter *Network Watcher Agent for Linux*. Select the extension from the list and select **Next**.
:::image type="content" source="./media/network-watcher-agent-linux/install-extension-linux.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows how to install Network Watcher Agent for Linux in the Azure portal." lightbox="./media/network-watcher-agent-linux/install-extension-linux.png":::
1. Select **Review + create** and then select **Create**.
# [**PowerShell**](#tab/powershell)
Use [Set-AzVMExtension](/powershell/module/az.compute/set-azvmextension) cmdlet to install Network Watcher Agent VM extension on the virtual machine:
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## Uninstall Network Watcher Agent VM extension
# [**Portal**](#tab/portal)
From the virtual machine page in the Azure portal, you can uninstall the Network Watcher Agent VM extension by following these steps:
1. Under **Settings**, select **Extensions + applications**.
1. Select **AzureNetworkWatcherExtension** from the list of extensions, and then select **Uninstall**.
:::image type="content" source="./media/network-watcher-agent-linux/uninstall-extension-linux.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows how to uninstall Network Watcher Agent for Linux in the Azure portal." lightbox="./media/network-watcher-agent-linux/uninstall-extension-linux.png":::
> [!NOTE]
> You might see Network Watcher Agent VM extension named differently than **AzureNetworkWatcherExtension**.
# [**PowerShell**](#tab/powershell)
Use [Remove-AzVMExtension](/powershell/module/az.compute/remove-azvmextension) cmdlet to remove Network Watcher Agent VM extension from the virtual machine: